Wool by breeds

[This is a partial list of some of the breeds of sheep whose wool is used by handspinners. The descriptions of wool are taken from various referrence sources, as well as personal experience, and are only meant to be a rough way to differentiate between types of wool.]

New! Some of the names of the breeds are now links to pictures of the fleece. If you want to submit a picture for this section, please send it to cenabrown AT yahoo DOT com. I might have to trim or resize it, but if I use it I will credit the donor.

BREED

STAPLE

MICRON

BRADFORD

NOTES

Merino

62-100mm

17-23

64-80s

Finest of the wool breeds. Excellent for next-to the skin wear and baby wear.

Cormo

17-23

The breed is the result of crossing Corriedales and Superfine Merinos.

Rambouillet

50-100mm

18-25

60-80

French descendant of the merino, seems harder to break the grease when cleaning. Can be used for felting.

California Variegated Mutant

100-150 mm

60-62

Bred from mutations in the Romeldale breed, which were bred from Romneys and Rambouillets

Bluefaced Leicester

80-150 mm

56-60s

Bred from the Leicester, but has finer fleece. Good multi-purpose fiber.

Largest range of colors and markings of any breed, extremely good for shawls and lace. Felts easily. It is a very primitive breed and is 2 coated. It has a natural break in the fleece and the sheep normally shed their fleece in the summer. This allows the fleece to be rooed or plucked instead of sheared.

Targhee

75-125mm

21-25

58-64

A breed developed in the USA in the 20th century, primarily from crossing rambouillet, corriedale, and lincoln.

It is a very primitive breed and is 2 coated. It has a natural break in the fleece and the sheep normally shed their fleece in the summer. This allows the fleece to be rooed or plucked instead of sheared.

Perendale

125mm

28-32

40-48

A good all-purpose wool, strong but light in weight for knitting and weaving. The breed was developed from crossing Cheviots with Ronmeys.